Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Persistent Pain In The Upper Middle Portion Of The Abdomen
Question: I am a 63 yr. old woman and I have recently developed an uncomfortable pain in my upper middle abdomen right under where the band of my bra sits between my breasts. I have been doing a lot of packing due to my upcoming move to another house & town next week. I also spent a couple of days last week upholstering a chair which involved a lot of leaning forward for periods of time. I have found that removing my bra has given me some relief. Also, after eating small meals, the pain tends to worsen, but eventually lets up. After sleeping at night, I am pain free in the morning. I have tried TUMS and even Alleve for pain and it helps a little, but this discomfort has been recurring daily now for over a week. I'm thinking it could be stress related due to all the things related to packing and moving, but it would help to know specifically what this might be.......a hiatal hernia? an ulcer? just acid indigestion??? or what??? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!
Brief Answer:
Press on xiphoid and please let me know the results ...
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
To recapitulate: Female/63 - uncomfortable pain - where the band of bra sits between breasts - removing bra gives some relief - sleep relieves pain in the morning - recurring daily for over a week - worsens with small meals but eventually lets up - TUMS and Alleve helps little - packing and upholstered chair leaning forward thinking of stress - hiatal hernia - ulcer - acid indigestion - what ....
From the history this looks to be inflammation of the xiphoid process of the sternum which is known to occur with the way you had done packing etc and stress does add on to such problems -
Pre-existing hiatal hernia can cause esophagitis as the only symptom of increase in pain with small meals suggest.
Please do a self-examination and give me feedback.
You can feel a small XXXXXXX bone at the end of sternum where the abdomen starts and press lightly to bearable pressure and let me know if you have tenderness/ blanching followed by redness/ swelling or anything
Awaiting for the results.
Press on xiphoid and please let me know the results ...
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
To recapitulate: Female/63 - uncomfortable pain - where the band of bra sits between breasts - removing bra gives some relief - sleep relieves pain in the morning - recurring daily for over a week - worsens with small meals but eventually lets up - TUMS and Alleve helps little - packing and upholstered chair leaning forward thinking of stress - hiatal hernia - ulcer - acid indigestion - what ....
From the history this looks to be inflammation of the xiphoid process of the sternum which is known to occur with the way you had done packing etc and stress does add on to such problems -
Pre-existing hiatal hernia can cause esophagitis as the only symptom of increase in pain with small meals suggest.
Please do a self-examination and give me feedback.
You can feel a small XXXXXXX bone at the end of sternum where the abdomen starts and press lightly to bearable pressure and let me know if you have tenderness/ blanching followed by redness/ swelling or anything
Awaiting for the results.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
It seems that the xiphoid is in fact QUITE TENDER.......so what does this mean?
What do I need to do to relieve this uncomfortable pain???
There is no redness or obvious swelling there - nor none after pressing on the xiphoid ..... only painful with pressing on it.
What do I need to do to relieve this uncomfortable pain???
There is no redness or obvious swelling there - nor none after pressing on the xiphoid ..... only painful with pressing on it.
Brief Answer:
As detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your feedback.
This means that there is an inflammation of the xiphoid process.
I would advise you the following, please consult your Doctor to have a discussion and get started as the correct treatment as per his/her choice.
- Continue Aleve in a proper dose and duration.
- Warm compresses
- Obviously the most important is the rest to the part. This is possible by avoiding all those works and acts that give stain to the lower chest and upper abdominal muscles.
- If not relieved, I do add oral steroid for a few days if the patient is not diabetic.
- Take PPI, Antacid and if required an upper GI Endoscopy to be done to know the exact status to get treated properly.
Please discuss with your Doctor and get treated properly to get a permanent relief.
I hope this answer helps you, please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
As detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your feedback.
This means that there is an inflammation of the xiphoid process.
I would advise you the following, please consult your Doctor to have a discussion and get started as the correct treatment as per his/her choice.
- Continue Aleve in a proper dose and duration.
- Warm compresses
- Obviously the most important is the rest to the part. This is possible by avoiding all those works and acts that give stain to the lower chest and upper abdominal muscles.
- If not relieved, I do add oral steroid for a few days if the patient is not diabetic.
- Take PPI, Antacid and if required an upper GI Endoscopy to be done to know the exact status to get treated properly.
Please discuss with your Doctor and get treated properly to get a permanent relief.
I hope this answer helps you, please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
